May 15—HENDERSON — It’s officially budget season at the city.
Finance Director Tony Fuqua presented the proposed budget at the City Council meeting on Monday. Regional water rates are likely to increase in Henderson, Oxford and Warren County in order to pay off the debt the latter owes on the Kerr Lake Regional Water System
The city’s value has nearly doubled since last year, from $848 million to $1.3 billion. The budget recommends leaving the property tax rate at .75 cents per $100. Nor is any sewer rate increase recommended.
In total, the city’s budget for this upcoming fiscal year is $44 million. The proposed budget is on the city’s website, on the Finance Department page, for those interested in reading through it. The County Commissioners will receive the county’s proposed budget at a special called meeting on May 28.
Earlier at its meeting, the council approved the creation of a tax incentive program for businesses in the downtown central business district, or B1.
Owners and taxpayers of commercial or mixed-use properties that rehabilitate their buildings — that means $40 per square foot, make usable one floor and triple predevelopment tax value at a minimum — can receive a grant based on a percentage of the difference between the improved and unimproved assessed value.
The grants are available for five years — starting at 100% of the difference in the first year and ticking down by 20% each year thereafter.
The idea behind that is to increase property values, the number of businesses downtown and overall get the commercial heart of Henderson pumping a bit more.
The council also agreed to create a “Rural Community Resilience Center” at Mayor Melissa Elliott’s request. Located at the city’s old municipal building, 110 Young Street, it would open once a week, possibly more in the future. RCRCs are a product of North Carolina Central University and are meant to give students hands-on experience, residents free healthcare services like screenings and educational classes on subjects like entrepreneurship.
The city had to lease out the 4,000-square-foot space, though there was some disagreement about price. Going with raw math, NCCU would pay around $38,000 yearly — given it’s a nonprofit organization. City Manager Terrell Blackmon recommended $20,000, or around $1,600 monthly, citing possible future upkeep and upfit costs.
Elliott felt it was a bit much, given the place would only be open once a week.
“We have to look at what this university is bringing to our community,” said Elliott. Mayor Pro Tem Garry Daeke suggested a three-year lease, $5,000 yearly plus the cost of water.
Speaking of health, another new resolution allows family members of city employees to have the same access to Aycock Recreation Center and its facilities.
In other business, the city ordered the owner of 216 Peachtree Street to make $7,500 worth of repairs to the home for failure to comply with the minimum housing code, marking the third time it’s been found out of compliance.
Owner Bobby Faison spoke during the public comment period, saying the tenant had damaged the property. It had been fully renovated before they moved in. The council didn’t respond to him — someone in the crowd questioned whether they would. Officials are under no obligation to answer those making public comments.
Signup bonus from
